Origins & Early Life

Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz (born 3 June 1931) is a Cuban politician, general, and revolutionary who served as the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the most senior position in the one-party communist state, from 2011 to 2021, and President of Cuba between 2008 and 2018, succeeding his brother Fidel Castro; he is still considered the de facto leader of the country by some commentators. One of the military leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Castro served as the minister of the Armed Forces from 1959 to 2008. His ministerial tenure made him the longest-serving minister of the armed forces. Castro was also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba, the highest decision-making body, from 1965 until 2021.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Because of his brother's illness, Castro became the acting president of the Council of State in a temporary transfer of power from 31 July 2006. Castro was officially made president by the National Assembly on 24 February 2008, after his brother, who was still ailing, announced on 19 February 2008 that he would not stand again. He was re-elected president on 24 February 2013. Shortly thereafter, Castro announced that his second term would be his final term, and that...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
• Alain Resnais — Shared historical date (06-03 · Born) (1922): Pioneering French filmmaker exploring memory, consciousness, and narrative structure.
• Alice Stewart — Shared historical date (06-03 · Died) (2002): Pioneering British epidemiologist known for social medicine and radiation health studies.
• Albert A. Michelson — Historical peer (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Aldo Rossi — Historical peer (Born in 1931) (1931): Pioneering Italian architect, theorist, and proponent of Postmodernism.
• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• Amy Winehouse — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Iconic British soul artist blending jazz, R&B, and retro sounds.
• Aaron Beck — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• June 3 (06-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 3